The mystery of the giant circle of ice, determined

In late April, the astronauts who were on the International Space Station spotted a strange circle formed on the icy surface of Siberia, south of Lake Baikal, which was 4.4 km in diameter.

But to the disappointment of lovers of the aliens, scientists seem to have found the explanation for this phenomenon, which is none other than the emissions of methane coming from the lake bottom. But then where does almost perfect circular form?

Scientists suggest that the hot water, caused by emissions of methane, are subject to the Coriolis force, caused by the rotation of Earth. These forces also help to create cyclones.

"Once the mass of water reaches the bottom of the lake's icy surface, merges hot water ice in a ring shape," said Marianne Moore, an environmental scientist from Massachusetts has long been studying the lake is the largest (by volume) and deepest fresh water on Earth.

The astronauts had already spotted circles like ice in 1985 and 1994. Emissions of methane could come from the intense tectonic activity of our planet, according to the Russian Government, if any government can be trusted in science.

Via | LiveScience